Spiritual Direction Training Class
The Spiritual Direction meets monthly
We are now accepting applications for the weekday class that will begin September 2012 through May 2014. Contact the Kairos office (717-669-2957 or kairos@on-the-journey.org) for more information.
Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation provides a two year program of Contemplative Spiritual Direction training which includes required readings, assignments and reports. Each student is expected to be engaged in directing other persons, as well as receiving spiritual direction while in the program. Peer supervision is a key element of the learning process.
This training builds on and deepens other spiritual disciplines. Thus it is important that those coming into this program have a well-rounded foundation in spiritual formation, and are men and women on a sincere journey of prayer. Although this is an intense program of learning, the training builds on the simplicity of a contemplative life. Periods of silence are encouraged. Sharing one's experience of the movement of God out of the silence and regular times for prayer and worship enrich the training.
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual Direction is about holy listening, presence and attentiveness. (M. Guenther)Spiritual Direction is an ancient form of strengthening and encouraging one another in Christ (Hebrews 3:13-14) dating back to the desert Mothers and Fathers. It is a process where we become more aware of God's presence and activity in our lives, and learn to respond with our whole being--head, heart, body, and soul. It is directive only in so far as the director and directee attend to the movement (e.g. direction) of the Holy Spirit in the directee's life.
Spiritual direction is a reflective and evocative experiential mode of being with directees as they attend to God's activity in their lives and prayer. The contemplative mode helps directees follow God's movement to its deepest place, on the midst of life's ordinary and extraordinary chaos.
Description of training
The art and practice of spiritual direction is learned by:- Contemplation of the Holy
- Study of the literature
- Experience of spiritual guidance both as director and directee
- Reflection on and discussion of assigned readings
- Participation in verbatims, practicum and supervision
- Theological reflection on the readings, discussions and personal experience
Objectives
- To experience what it means to be contemplative as a spiritual director
- To grow in understanding the ways of God in human experience
- To develop skills for being a spiritual companion and spiritual director
- To become knowledgeable in the literature on spiritual direction
- To acquire resources for the practice of spiritual direction in the life of the congregation
- Introduction to Contemplative Spiritual Direction
- Beginning Spiritual Direction
- Attending to God-Person Relationship
- Attending to Director-Directee Relationship
- On Being Contemplative
- Discernment in Spiritual Direction
- Spiritual Direction & Spiritual Practices
- Spiritual Direction with a Counseling Agenda
- Befriending our Desires
- Human Formation: Adult Faith Development
- Integral Spirituality
- Gender Issues in Spiritual Direction
- Sexuality and Spiritual Direction
- The Dark Night and Dark Night Experiences
- Ethics in Spiritual Direction
A spiritual director companions another to explore, Who is God for me and who am I for God? (W. Barry and W. Connolly)
Spiritual Direction Classes Offered
Weekday Classes (2012-2014)This class meets monthly during the week September - May. Classes begin on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and continue through Friday at 11 a.m. We are currently accepting applications for the weekday program.
Weekend Classes (2011-2013)
This class meets monthly on weekends September - May. Classes begin at 2 p.m. on Friday and continue through Sunday noon. In September 2013 the next session of these classes will be open for registration.
How to Apply
Download Spiritual Direction Training application.